DON’T DELAY: GET YOUR NEW I-9 IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

By: Mark F. Kluger and William H. Healey

Those more astute Human Resources or hiring managers may have noticed that the current version of the Form I-9 (which must be completed by all new employees within the first three days of employment) is a bit stale. In fact, the form was updated most recently in 2013 and states, right on the top, that it expired March 31, 2016.

For those of you who, like us, get twitchy using expired documents, please remain calm. The federal government says that we must continue to use the expired form until the new version hits the stores. You will not, however, have long to wait. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is required to publish a revised form by November 22, 2016 and it seems to be running on schedule. The Office of Management and Budget already approved the new I-9 in August, so we should see it right on time.

If you have grown attached to the old I-9, do not fret, there will be a transition period to ease you into the change. You will not have to let it go until January 21, 2017. After that date, the 2013 version will be invalid and employers that continue to use it for sentimental or other reasons will be at risk for fines and penalties if subjected to an I-9 audit.

If you have any questions regarding this or any other aspect of Form I-9 compliance, please do not hesitate to contact us.